The multi-million pound facility at Leicester General Hospital is one of the largest diabetes centres in Europe. The centre is a partnership between the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, the University of Leicester and the local community.

A view of the main entrance at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester Credit: Rui Vieira/PA

Professor Melanie Davies, Professor of Diabetes Medicine and Co-Director of the Centre said, "The focus of the Leicester Diabetes Centre's research is to improve outcomes and the health of people with diabetes and to stop those at high risk of type 2 diabetes developing it at all."

One of the centres aims will be on finding new ways of identifying people at high risk of diabetes and developing effective interventions to stop, slow and treat the condition.

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Midlands cities have some of the highest rates of diabetes in England, according to new research.

Just under 10% of people aged over 16 have diabetes in Birmingham, Walsall and Wolverhampton. One in ten people in Leicester have diabetes, making it one of the top ten places in the country for having high rates of the condition.

Muslims in the Midlands who have diabetes are advised to speak to their GP if they decide to fast during Ramadan.

The British Medical Journal has found in a recent study that the change in the eating patterns of Muslims during Ramadan significantly increases the risk of blood sugar problems.

Dr Ather Hussain said: “Islam is very clear, that if a person feels that their illness will prolong or become more severe as a result of fasting, then he or she is exempt from that, and they can fast at a later date. So it is best to get advice from their local GP.”

A lifelong diabetes sufferer is taking on a whole new colourful identity to help raise crucial funds for his son and other youngsters affected by the condition.

Darren Johnson, 39, from Langwith in Derbyshire, was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 17-months and has suffered many long-term health effects, including near blindness.

His nine year-old son, Jordan, was diagnosed with the same condition 18 months ago, prompting his dad to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation whilst also raising diabetes awareness.

Since Monday Darren, who works in Annesley, has been dressed in a blue Morphsuit.

He said: "Children are dying of diabetes from a very young age. People don't realise it's like an inner Cancer. If it's not controlled and kept in check, it eats away at the body and can decide to attack anything at any time.

"Research costs around £60-70 per hour. I'm hoping that if people learn a little more about diabetes and its effects, they might want to donate."